WA boosts COVID-19 funding in budget
The West Australian government will allocate more cash to its COVID-19 response in this week's state budget as SA launches a vaccine advertising blitz.
virus diseases
Free rapid COVID tests slip on ALP agenda
Times have changed and Labor is backing away from its previous call for free COVID rapid antigen tests for all Australians.
PM won’t back probe into pandemic handling
Prime Minister Scott Morrison won't back a royal commission into Australia's response to COVID-19, saying pandemic is still going.
WHO links 14.9mln deaths to COVID-19
Nearly 15 million people were killed either by the coronavirus or by its impact on overwhelmed health systems in the first two years of the pandemic, WHO says.
COVID caseload hits new heights in WA
Eased restrictions have led coronavirus infections to record highs in WA, as disability advocates call for a COVID recovery plan for people with special needs.
Rural nurses ‘let down’ by health report
A parliamentary report into health outcomes in NSW rural and remote areas has failed to back a push by the nurses union for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios.
COVID recovery plan needed for disabled
Disability advocates are calling for a COVID-19 recovery plan for people with special needs as the virus continues to surge in the community.
Virus cases dip except in Americas, Africa
Global coronavirus infections have dropped 17 per cent in the past week, the World Health Organisation says.
Three new Omicron subvariants in Australia
Australia's immunisation authority is recommending people wait three months after recovering from COVID-19 before getting their next vaccine dose.
COVID-19, flu winter resurgence predicted
People are being warned about a resurgence of COVID-19 and flu this winter with authorities advising both vaccines are required to maximise protection.
Household COVID isolation rule ends
Compulsory isolation for household contacts of people with COVID-19 is a thing of the past as the nation learns to live with the virus.
Australia reports 15 more virus deaths
Australia has recorded a further 15 COVID-19 deaths and more than 32,000 new virus cases.
Australia’s virus toll climbs by 48 deaths
Australia has reported a further 48 COVID-19 deaths, while the nation's virus caseload has jumped almost 39,000 infections in 24 hours.
Queensland boosts flu shot coverage
Queensland will boost its flu vaccination coverage this winter by inviting an extra 70 regional pharmacies to participate in the National Immunisation Program.
Cases close non-COVID Tas hospital wards
Three patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in non-virus Tasmanian hospital wards, prompting authorities to close the areas to new admissions and visitors.
$2.1 million needed for long COVID victims
A growing number of Australians are experiencing debilitating fatigue and other symptoms associated with long COVID, prompting calls for government action.
UK kids unfit, overweight after pandemic
Australian researchers have found many UK children gained about seven kilograms amid lockdowns during the pandemic, with nearly half now overweight or obese.
Albanese to emerge from COVID isolation
Anthony Albanese's home isolation is set to end as the opposition leader recovers from COVID-19.
NZ High Court: COVID rules ‘not justified’
Grounded Kiwis, a lobby group founded to protest New Zealand's tough COVID-19 border restrictions, has won a court case against the government.
Tas to lift close contact isolation rule
Tasmania will drop the seven-day isolation requirement for close contacts of COVID-19 cases from May 2.
Household contact isolation phased out
COVID-19 household contact rules are being dialled back around Australia, with Tasmania the only state yet to announce when the requirement will be phased out.
EU, Turkey, Albania curbs end as WHO warns
World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the agency is blind to how the coronavirus is spreading because of falling global testing rates.
ACT ditches COVID close-contact isolation
The ACT has ditched its mandatory week-long isolation requirement for COVID-19 household contacts, joining most states in making the change.
Economic outlook ‘tricky’ despite strength
Australia's economic recovery has been faster and better than expected, but war in Europe and China's COVID-19 outbreaks are wildcards for the nation's outlook.
Aussies urged: be COVID-safe on Anzac Day
Australians attending Anzac Day events are being urged to wear masks in crowded settings to protect the vulnerable.
Anzac Day patrons urged to be COVID-safe
While COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed in NSW and Victoria, Anzac Day patrons are being encouraged to don masks in crowded settings to protect the vulnerable.
Restrictions eased as COVID-19 tolls grow
Almost 42,000 new COVID-19 cases have been reported across Australia along with 44 virus-related deaths.
Qld aligns quarantine rules with NSW, Vic
Queensland will ease isolation rules for COVID-19 close contacts from 6pm on Thursday, following changes made by Victoria and NSW.
NSW, Vic prepare to drop home isolation
Victoria and NSW are ending close contact isolation and Queensland is easing its quarantine rules as the eastern states record over 42,000 new COVID-19 cases.
ACT follows NSW, Vic isolation changes
COVID-19 isolation rules are about to be scrapped in Victoria and NSW, with changes also announced for the ACT.
NSW ends isolation, quarantine for COVID
A raft of restrictions brought in to combat the spread of COVID-19 will be ditched in NSW despite thousands of people continuing to test positive each day.